Iran proved to be the sole flashpoint in an otherwise muted debate between US Democratic presidential hopefuls, as contenders weighed what Washington’s response should be to an Iranian nuclear weapons program.

 Brent crude oil slipped further below $68 a barrel on Friday after tension eased between the European Union and Iran over the OPEC member’s nuclear program.

Visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari on Thursday underlined here importance of the upcoming neighboring states’ meeting on Iraq due to be held in Egypt’s Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on May 3-4.